Particular embodiments relate generally to systems and methods of reducing the appearance of speckle in laser projection images. According to one embodiment, a laser projection system includes a light source, scanning optics and spinning optics. The light source includes at least one laser configured to emit an output beam. The scanning optics is positioned in an optical path of the output beam and configured to scan the output beam across a plurality of image pixels onto the spinning optics. The spinning optics is configured to create a virtual image of the scanning optics, translate the virtual image and change the angle of incidence of the output beam. The laser projection system is programmed to generate at least a portion of a scanned laser image, execute the translation of the virtual image by moving the spinning optics, and compensate for a relative image shift resulting from the translated virtual image.
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1. A laser projection system comprising a light source, scanning optics and spinning optics, wherein:
the light source comprises at least one laser configured to emit an output beam;
the scanning optics is positioned in an optical path of the output beam and configured to scan the output beam across a plurality of image pixels on a projection surface through the spinning optics;
the spinning optics is configured to:
create a virtual image of the scanning optics;
translate the virtual image and change the angle of incidence of the output beam on the projection surface as the virtual image is translated; and
the laser projection system is programmed to:
generate at least a portion of a scanned laser image on the projection surface by operating the laser for optical emission of encoded image data and controlling the scanning optics to scan the output beam across the plurality of image pixels;
execute the translation of the virtual image by moving the spinning optics as the output beam is scanned across the plurality of image pixels on the projection surface; and
compensate for a relative image shift resulting from the translated virtual image.
2. A laser projection system as claimed in
3. A laser projection system as claimed in
4. A laser projection system as claimed in
the plurality of image pixels are scanned to define a plurality of image frames occurring at an image frame rate; and
the rotational frequency of the spinning optics is less than the image frame rate.
5. A laser projection system as claimed in
6. A laser projection system as claimed in
7. A laser projection system as claimed in
8. A laser projection system as claimed in
9. A laser projection system as claimed in
10. A laser projection system as claimed in
11. A laser projection system as claimed in
the spinning optics comprises a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface;
the first reflective surface is positioned in the optical path of the scanned output beam and angled to directed the scanned output beam toward the second reflective surface; and
the second reflective surface is spatially separated from the first reflective surface and is angled to direct the scanned output beam toward the projection surface.
12. A laser projection system as claimed in
13. A laser projection system as claimed in
14. A laser projection system as claimed in
15. A laser projection system as claimed in
16. A laser projection system as claimed in
17. A laser projection system as claimed in
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1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to laser projection systems, and, more specifically, to laser projection systems that reduce the appearance of speckle that may be visible in a laser projection image.
2. Technical Background
Speckle may result whenever a coherent light source is used to illuminate a rough surface, for example, a screen, wall, or any other object that produces a diffused reflection or transmission. Particularly, a multitude of small areas of the screen or other reflecting objects scatter light into a multitude of reflected beams with different points of origination and different propagation directions. Speckle causes high spatial frequency noise in the projected image. At an observation point, for example in the observer's eye or at the sensor of a camera, these beams interfere constructively to form a bright spot, or destructively to form a dark spot, producing a random granular intensity pattern known as speckle. Speckle may be characterized by the grain size and contrast, usually defined as a ratio of standard deviation to mean light intensity in the observation plane. For a large enough illuminated area and a small enough individual scattering point size, the speckle will be “fully developed,” with a brightness standard deviation of 100%. If an image is formed on the screen using a coherent light source such as laser beams, such granular structure will represent noise or a serious degradation of the image quality. This noise presents a significant problem, particularly when the projector is used to display high spatial frequency content, such as text.
A general concept of minimizing speckle contrast in an image consists of projecting an intermediate scanned laser image over a small sized diffusing surface, and using projection optics to project that intermediate scanned laser image toward the final projection surface. By rapidly moving the diffuser, the phase of the electric field is scrambled over time, which results in changing the perceived speckle pattern. If the diffuser is moving or vibrating fast enough, the perceived speckle pattern changes at high frequencies and are averaged in time by the eye. To reduce speckle efficiently, multiple speckle frames need to be created over the integration time of the eye, which is typically in the order of 50 Hz.
Although rapidly moving the diffuser provides speckle reduction, it requires an expensive and complicated mechanism to move the phase mask laterally at a relatively high speed. Further, a moving diffuser requires the use of auto-focus mechanisms as well as lenses possessing a high numerical aperture and a high field of view, which adds significant complexity and cost to the system.
It is against this background that systems and methods of speckle reduction that do not require projection lenses and auto-focus mechanisms are desired.
According to one embodiment, a laser projection system including a light source, scanning optics and spinning optics is provided. The light source includes at least one laser configured to emit an output beam. The scanning optics is positioned in an optical path of the output beam and configured to scan the output beam across a plurality of image pixels through the spinning optics. The spinning optics is configured to create a virtual image of the scanning optics. The spinning optics are further configured to translate the virtual image and change the angle of incidence of the output beam. The laser projection system is programmed to generate at least a portion of a scanned laser image by operating the laser for optical emission of encoded image data and controlling the scanning optics. The laser projection system is also programmed to execute the translation of the virtual image by moving the spinning optics, and to compensate for a relative image shift resulting from the translated virtual image.
According to another embodiment, a method of operating a laser projection system comprising at least one laser is provided. The method includes generating a virtual image of an output beam of the at least one laser by operating the laser for optical emission of encoded image data and scanning the output beam across a plurality of image pixels. The method further includes rotating the virtual image of the output beam about an optical axis and projecting the virtual image of the output beam toward a projection surface.
The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
Particular embodiments of the present disclosure may be described in the context of a laser projection system that is configured to scan an output signal or beam across a projection surface to generate a two dimensional image. The appearance of speckle in the scanned laser image may be reduced by changing the angle of incidence of the output beam upon the projection surface on a frame-per-frame basis. By changing the angle of incidence of the output beam, different speckle patterns are created because the light is scattered by the projection surface at different angles at each frame. The human eye or sensor then integrates and averages the different speckle patterns and the appearance of speckle is thereby reduced. Laser projection systems in accordance with the present disclosure do not require the use of moving diffusers, auto-focus mechanisms or high numerical aperture and field of view lenses, although these components may be utilized in conjunction with the embodiments described herein if desired. Embodiments may be implemented in not only laser projection systems, but other optical systems utilizing coherent light sources where the reduction of speckle is desired.
According to some embodiments, a virtual image of a scanned output beam is generated and rotated about an optical axis. The virtual image is then projected toward the projection surface so that it is viewable to an observer. Because the virtual image is rotating, each point of the image that is projected onto the projection surface is illuminated at a different angle of incidence, resulting in a laser image having reduced speckle content.
The light source 10 may comprise one or more lasers that are operable to emit laser beams at different wavelengths. For example, the light source 10 may comprise three lasers capable of emitting beams of red, blue and green wavelengths, respectively. In some embodiments, the output beam 30 consists of nearly collimated red, green and blue beams. Other embodiments may utilize a light source 10 that emits more or fewer collimated laser beams, and/or emit beams at wavelengths other than red, blue and green.
The light source 10 may comprise one or more single-wavelength lasers, such as distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) lasers, vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL), vertical external cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSEL) or Fabry-Perot lasers, for example. Additionally, to generate a green beam, the light source 10 of some embodiments may also comprise a wavelength conversion device such as a second harmonic generating (SHG) crystal or a higher harmonic generating crystal to frequency-double a laser beam having a native wavelength in the infrared band. For example, a SHG crystal, such as an MgO-doped periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal, may be used to generate green light by converting the wavelength of a 1060 nm DBR or DFB laser to 530 nm. The light source 10 may also comprise lasers other than single wavelength lasers, such as lasers capable of emission of multiple wavelengths.
The laser projection system 100 may comprise a system controller 20, such as a microcontroller, and may be programmed to provide the light source 10 with one or more data signals that carry image data for projection in the laser projection system 100. To create the desired image, the light source 10 may emit the encoded image data in the form of gain or intensity variations of the output beam 30.
Scanning optics 31, such as an actuated mirror or prism as is known in the art, may be positioned in the optical path of the output beam 30 and be controllable to scan the output beam 30 in an x and y direction (e.g., a raster scan). The scanning optics 31 deviates angularly the output beam as a function of time such that the scanned output beam 34 hits the projection surface 50 at a position that changes over time.
The scanned output beam 34 is modulated in brightness to produce a plurality of beam spots or pixels on the projection surface 50 that are arranged across a plurality of lines that define a frame of the image. The scanned laser image is therefore composed of individual frames that are successively generated at an image frame rate (e.g., 50 Hz). Although the light source 10 and scanning element 31 are illustrated as effectuating a linear optical pathway, it is noted that other optical pathways are possible, such as non-linear or segmented optical pathways.
The scanning optics 31 may be configured and positioned to scan the output beam 30 onto spinning optics 40. The spinning optics 40 of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
The spinning optics 40 is configured to create a virtual image 32 of the scanning optics 31. As illustrated in
As described hereinabove, the position of the virtual image 32 may be laterally translated by rotating the spinning optics 40 about an optical axis 38 of the projector as indicated by directional arrow 48. The spinning optics 40 may spin in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The first and second reflective surfaces 42 and 44 may be attached to a structure that rotates the reflective surfaces 42 and 44 about the optical axis 38. The rotating structure may comprise any structure known in the art to rotate optical components. As the spinning optics 40 rotate, the virtual image 32 describes a circle 49 around the optical axis 38 as illustrated in
In this manner, each point of the image is illuminated at the projection surface 50 at a different angle of incidence on a frame-per-frame basis. According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of
Although
As a result of rotating the virtual image 32, the image projected onto the projection surface 50 may also visibly move or translate on a frame-per-frame basis, thereby introducing distortion and/or a relative image shift into the image. When the laser projection system 100 is at a distance from the projection surface 50 that causes lateral distortion or translation in the projected image, an image compensation method may be utilized to project an image that is substantially free from any distortion or translation. Image compensation methods shift the image to compensate for any lateral translation that is present in the projected image due to the rotating virtual image 32.
The position of an individual beam spot or pixel on the projection surface 50 as the virtual image 32 is rotated may be determined by:
P(t)=(D tan(θ(t))+A sin(ωt), D tan(θy(t)+A cos(ωt)), (1),
where:
Equation (1) indicates that the position of an individual beam spot or pixel will move on the projection surface on a frame-per-frame basis as a result of the rotating virtual image 32 at the rotational frequency ω. The position of the beam spot is also dependent on the distance of the laser projection system to the project surface 50 and the amplitude A of the virtual image translation, which, according to some embodiments, is determined by the distance between a first and second reflective surface 42 and 44.
Some embodiments may utilize a compensation method that comprises providing a compensation signal to the scanning optics 31 such that the image translation caused by the spinning optics 40 is compensated. More particularly, the compensation signal may alter angles θx and θy of the scanning optics 31 to compensate for the image translation so that the image is corrected on the projection surface 50. By correcting the angles θx and θy of the scanning optics 31, a clear and stable image is presented to the viewer.
The amount of correction of the angle in the x-direction may be determined by:
D tan(θ0x(t)=D tan(θx(t)+A sin(ωt), (2),
where:
θ0x(t) is the angle of the scanning optics 31 if no image translation were present; and
θx(t) is the angle of the scanning optics 31 that is needed to correct the image projected onto the projection surface 50.
The correction angle in the x-direction may be determined by solving for θx(t) such that:
Similarly, the correction angle in the y-direction may be determined by:
The above calculations may be performed by the system controller 20, which then may provide an appropriate correction signal to the scanning optics 31. The correction calculations depend on the distance D of the laser projection system 100 from the projection surface 50. Therefore, the distance D should be known or approximated to yield the most effective image compensation results. In some embodiments, the laser projection system 100 may also comprise a distance detection means such as those that are known in the art. Other embodiments may prompt a user to input an approximate distance D of the laser projection system 100 to the projection surface so that the correction signal may be determined.
The correction signal is also dependent on the angle of rotation ω of the spinning optics 40. Therefore, the angle of rotation ω should be monitored so that an accurate correction signal may be applied to the scanning optics 31. Some embodiments may use rotation encoders to monitor the angle of rotation ω of the spinning optics 40. The rotation encoders may provide the system controller 20 a signal that corresponds to an angular position of the spinning optics 40 as the spinning optics rotate about the optical axis. The system controller 20 may then use the signal provided by the rotation encoders to calculate the correction angles needed to compensate for any image distortion or translation.
Other embodiments may compensate for any distortion or image translation in the projected image by utilizing an image correction algorithm. The image correction algorithm, which may be performed by the system controller 20, corrects the image that is projected onto the projection surface 50 by altering the image data that is sent to the light source 10 according to the amount of image translation present in the projected image. Similar to the image compensation calculations provided hereinabove for adjusting the angle of the scanning optics 31, the image correction algorithm corrects for any relative image shift or distortion at given distance D. More particularly, the image correction algorithm shifts the image on a frame-per-frame basis so that the frames of the image correspond to a targeted image without distortion at the projection surface 50. As an illustration, if a pixel P1 is illuminated by a beam spot B1 during a first frame, but illuminated by a different beam spot B5 during the second frame as a result from the rotation of the virtual image 32, the image correction algorithm will change the image data provided to the light source 10 such that beam spot B5 corresponds to pixel P1 rather than pixel P5 during the second frame. Because the algorithm takes into account the distance D of the laser projection system 100 to the projection surface 50 and calculates the individual frames for any particular distance D, the system 100 does not require focus mechanisms, although such focus mechanisms may be utilized in some embodiments if desired.
The amount of image correction or compensation required may be minimized for a specific distance D from the projection surface 50, which decreases processing power requirements on the system 100 and increases projected image quality at the particular distance D.
In the illustrated embodiment, the angle of the first and second reflective surfaces 42 and 44 are calculated and positioned such that the output beam for the various positions of the rotating virtual image 32 all converge at the same point P on the projection surface 50 for a specific distance D. More particularly, the scanned output beam 34 representing a pixel or particular point of the virtual image 32 (
The spinning optics 40 may be configured as any optical component or components that enable a virtual image to rotate about an optical axis and project that rotating virtual image onto the projection surface. As described hereinabove, by rotating the virtual image and illuminating the projection surface from changing angles of incidence, multiple speckle patterns may be generated on a frame-per-frame basis.
For the purposes of describing and defining the embodiments disclosed herein, it is noted that the terms “approximately” and “substantially” are utilized to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The terms “approximately” and “substantially” are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
It is noted that recitations herein of a component of the embodiments disclosed herein being “programmed” in a particular way, “configured” or “programmed” to embody a particular property, or function in a particular manner, are structural recitations as opposed to recitations of intended use. More specifically, the references herein to the manner in which a component is “programmed” or “configured” denotes an existing physical condition of the component and, as such, is to be taken as a definite recitation of the structural characteristics of the component.
It is also noted that one or more of the following claims utilize the term “wherein” as a transitional phrase. For the purposes of defining the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is noted that this term is introduced in the claims as an open-ended transitional phrase that is used to introduce a recitation of a series of characteristics of the structure and should be interpreted in like manner as the more commonly used open-ended preamble term “comprising.”
It is also noted that the use of the phrase “at least one” in describing a particular component or element does not imply that the use of the term “a” in describing other components or elements excludes the use of more than one for the particular component or element. More specifically, although a component may be described using “a,” it is not to be interpreted as limiting the component to only one.
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention.
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